November 3, 2022 10:40 a.m.
On Wednesday, the South Umpqua School District’s board voted to approve Superintendent Kate McLaughlin’s resignation as superintendent.
A release said McLaughlin remains dedicated to the district and will fulfill her superintendent responsibilities through the end of the current school year, before she steps into her new role as the district’s next director of student achievement. McLaughlin will replace Andy Johnson, following his retirement.
McLaughlin said, “I remain devoted to our collective work and vision”. She said, “The district has a devoted school board and team of education professionals, all committed to our students. We make up a terrific team. In my future role as the director of student achievement, I will prioritize the services that support the social, behavioral and learning needs of our students”.
McLaughlin said the timing of her resignation announcement was intended to give the board time to attract qualified candidates.
The release said the board is committed to actively beginning the search process to hire her successor. Board Chair Jeff Johnson said, “The South Umpqua School District is a great place to be”. Johnson said, “We’re grateful that Ms. McLaughlin will continue to offer her wisdom and expertise to our staff and students as she concludes her current duties this school year and then begins her new position here at our district”.
McLaughlin said, “From the beginning, I told board members that this position and district were not a career steppingstone to get to a bigger, better district. I was looking for a community I could truly call home and serve to the best of my ability”. McLaughlin said, “The South Umpqua community has become that home and there is no place else I would rather be”. She said, “Although I will no longer be in the superintendent’s seat, I remain dedicated to our district and students. I look forward to remaining here and serving in new ways. I also look forward to working with and supporting the next superintendent”.
More information about the district is available at: www.susp.k12.or.us.